Jessica joined Ed Smith & Associates in 2002. She is responsible for the organization and oversight of project production, ensuring timely delivery of the final research product. Jessica is also responsible for preparing special reports analyzing the economic trends and demographic profiles of trade areas and communities. 

Jessica graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications.

Ed has forty years of professional experience in retail site location research. He has created a company that provides expertise in strategic research for retail businesses looking to expand their current store base. 

Ed started his career with The Kroger Co. in 1981 and held positions as Competition Field Analyst in Orlando, Florida for the southeastern United States; Real Estate Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Marketing Area in Roanoke, Virginia; and Senior Manager of Site Location Research at the Kroger headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1993, Ed made the transition to the Vice President working for the international research firm of Thompson Associates, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

In 1996, Ed decided to establish his own research firm, Ed Smith & Associates. The firm has gained a well-respected reputation in the industry and has grown to serve over 100 retail development and retail store clients. This list includes six chains ranking in the top ten of sales performance in the nation. 

Ed received his Master’s Degree in Geography and Bachelor of Science in Education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.